Sunderland complete double Goodison Park swoop

Sunderland have completed a double raid on Everton, taking both Bryan Oviedo and Darron Gibson from the Goodison Park club.

The Black Cats once again face a fight to retain their place in the Premier League, and head into their home clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night bottom of the table but just three points from safety. David Moyes has been given the green light to boost his squad this month, although his quest to sign Leicester City’s Leonardo Ulloa has so far been fruitless.

He has, though, been able to lure Joleon Lescott to the Stadium of Light, with the experienced defender arriving from AEK Athens for the remainder of the season. And now there have been further signings ahead of the deadline, with Oviedo and Gibson being signed by Moyes for a second time after the Scot had previously took them to Everton.

“Bryan is a very good player and he’ll help us get forward,” the former Toffees boss told the official club website. “He’s quick and overall he’s a decent left-back. I signed him for Everton from Copenhagen as cover for Leighton Baines at the time, and he’s only not getting in because of how well Leighton’s done. He’s 26 which is a good age for us.

“I think he’s a really good character, a good boy. I’m hoping he’s someone who will help us over the years. We’ve got Darron on an 18-month contract and I think he’s a very good footballer. He’ll add a bit of quality with his passing and his play and I’d love him to add goals. He has a really good strike and, if he can add goals from midfield, it would be a big bonus.”

It is believed the Black Cats have paid £7.5million for the two players, which is just over half the £14million they received from Crystal Palace for Patrick van Aanholt. As for Ulloa, Moyes would still like to sign the striker but he will be wary that time is now not on his side. The Argentine remains keen to quit the Foxes, and is unhappy he remains kicking his heels at the club.

Ulloa tweeted: “With all respect for LCFC fans. I feel betrayed by [Claudio] Ranieri and let down by the club. I will not play for them again…”